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Roark Capital

Largest restaurant franchise operator in the world, controlling Subway, Arby's, Dunkin', and more

EST. 2001Atlanta, GAWebsite →
18
Brands Owned
1
Documented Impacts
0
Bankruptcies
6
Industries
1 documented negative impact
Auto ServicesRestaurants & Fast FoodYouth Sports & RecreationSalon, Spa & BeautyChildcare & Early EducationHVAC & Home Services

Brands Owned by Roark Capital (18)

CARSTAR

Auto Services · 6 locations

Collision repair network, part of Driven Brands (Roark)

Carvel

Restaurants & Fast Food · 5 locations

Ice cream franchise owned by Roark Capital through GoTo Foods

Dave's Hot Chicken

Restaurants & Fast Food · 5 locations

Roark Capital (which already controls Subway, Dunkin', Arby's, Sonic, and more) acquired a 75% majority stake in Dave's Hot Chicken for ~$1 billion in June 2025. The chain had 245+ locations and $617M in 2024 sales. Roark's restaurant empire is now the largest franchise operation outside publicly traded companies.

Focus Brands (Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Jamba)

Restaurants & Fast Food · 5 locations

Roark platform operating Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Jamba, McAlister's, and Schlotzsky's

Hardee's / Carl's Jr.

Restaurants & Fast Food · 10 locations

Fast food burger chains operated by CKE Restaurants (Roark)

i9 Sports

Youth Sports & Recreation · 4 locations

Youth sports franchise with 1,000+ programs, owned by Roark Capital through Youth Enrichment Brands

Maaco

Auto Services · 6 locations

Auto body and paint shops, part of Driven Brands (Roark)

Massage Envy

Salon, Spa & Beauty · 6 locations

Largest massage and facial franchise in the US with 1,100+ locations, owned by Roark Capital

McAlister's Deli

Restaurants & Fast Food · 5 locations

Fast-casual deli chain owned by Roark Capital through GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands)

Meineke Car Care

Auto Services · 9 locations

Auto repair franchise, part of Driven Brands (Roark)

Moe's Southwest Grill

Restaurants & Fast Food · 4 locations

Tex-Mex fast-casual chain owned by Roark Capital through GoTo Foods

Primrose Schools

Childcare & Early Education · 10 locations

Roark Capital-backed early education franchise with 500+ locations across 33 states

SafeSplash Swim School

Youth Sports & Recreation · 8 locations

Swim lesson franchise with 150+ locations, owned by Roark Capital through Youth Enrichment Brands

Schlotzsky's

Restaurants & Fast Food · 10 locations

Sandwich chain owned by Roark Capital through GoTo Foods

School of Rock

Youth Sports & Recreation · 3 locations

Music education franchise with 300+ locations, owned by Roark Capital through Youth Enrichment Brands

ServiceMaster Restore

HVAC & Home Services · 8 locations

Restoration and cleaning franchise with 850+ locations, owned by Roark Capital

Subway

Restaurants & Fast Food · 9 locations

World's largest restaurant chain by locations, acquired by Roark Capital in 2023 for $9.6B

1 impact

Take 5 Oil Change

Auto Services · 10 locations

Drive-through oil change, part of Driven Brands (Roark)